Cinematic Night Portraits in Portland: Red Light, Neon, and Double Exposures

Alina Veksler | October 20, 2026

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There is something so unique and captivating in the Tokyo night style—hazy lights, colored light, green tones, and a cinematic, filmy look. I have never been to Tokyo, yet this aesthetic makes me want to know more about the story, about the character, about their life. It makes me excited and curious to explore. For this series of cinematic night portraits in Portland with Mari, it was the contrast between red and green that inspired me most. The look of CineStill 800T, a film stock I keep seeing, is what partly inspired the edit.

I had several double-exposure shots in mind, and with double exposures it is always about experimenting. You can only foresee so much of how they will look, so I trust the process. The ideas I bring to a photoshoot are there to guide me and help me create something exciting. I stay with the overall direction, I experiment, and I keep only what feels natural for my model, the concept, and the location, then move on to the next idea. Many ideas also come to me on the spot: from the model, from something we discussed, from the location, or simply from chance. A bus driving by, for example, becomes an opportunity to create light trails.

The city images I shot on a manual lens while being driven through downtown Portland in a car. Catching the Portland sign from the Burnside Bridge took a few attempts: it is constantly changing as different parts of it light up, and the first time we drove by, it went completely dark. The second time, the timing worked out beautifully.

My style, in one night

This photoshoot with Mari is a great example of my passion for photography, because so many of the elements that shape my style come together in it. I love shooting in low light. I love shooting in the city, with its cars, buses, bus stops, and all the interesting, cinematic light in the background. I choose real locations over studios, which have a more artificial feel to me. And I love the time on location and between locations, when I talk to my models, connect with them, and get a sense of who they are and what they’re interested in. Being on the move, between spots and while setting things up, is a wonderful chance for us to connect.

I feel truly proud that I am able to execute photoshoots like this one, which require working with light while shooting, directing, and setting up the exact spot on location. Usually this is handled by large teams: a dedicated person for lighting, an assistant, someone who helps with gear, someone who sets up props. On my sets, it is just me. I juggle all of these tasks and skills at once—talking to my model and directing her, keeping the references in mind, being the creative producer who holds the overall idea, being the storyteller, and seeing how the finished work will look. When you are the only person on set from the production side, all of it runs through your mind at the same time.

For artists looking for album cover art

I see this series as an example for musicians, bands, artists, and actors looking for cover art, whether for a music album or another project. It is a versatile story with a strong storytelling side to it, while still being very artistic and artful. This is exactly what I offer through album cover photography and my Signature creative portraiture package.

The Tokyo night style makes me want to know more about the story behind every frame. With my work, I hope to pass on that feeling, and that other people will feel some kind of emotive sensation too, because they relate to the style as much as I do.

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Photographer and author: Alina Veksler @veksalinaphotography
In my frame: Mari Davtyan @m_davtyannn

Locations: Hawthorne Bridge, Burnside Bridge, SW 5th Ave, and SW Broadway, downtown Portland, Oregon, USA

Gear used: Sony a7iii | Manual vintage lens Minolta Rokkor 58mm f/1.4 | K&F Concept Black Diffusion 1/4 | Vijim VL 120 RGB | SmallRig Tripod CT-10

Alina Veksler—a creative portrait photographer based near Portland, Oregon, offering professional photography and creative direction for individuals and businesses seeking unique, tailor-made sessions defined by quality and artistry.

Want your unique story told like this? Let’s make it happen—inquire at veksalinaphotography.com